Israel, much like the fortress of Tel-Chai that Jospeh Trumpeldor fought to defend against Arab conquerors in 1920, finds itself beseiged by enemies both within and without. Terrorists, would-be friends inside and outside Israel, and even bad government officials. Here are the discussions of one proud Zionist resident on the state of the nation and abroad.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Some Haredi rabbis show the courage to denounce the extremists

Two of Israel's most senior haredi rabbis, Rabbi Haim Kanievsky and Rabbi Nissim Karelitz, have publicly criticized radical elements in the ultra-Orthodox community who have violently protested against construction work in Beit Shemesh.

In a public notice published Tuesday and posted in haredi neighborhoods, the rabbis deplored recent criticism of a ruling by another leading rabbi, who found that continuing with the building presents no halachic problem.

“Worthless people have opened their mouths against one of the great Torah sages of our generation, Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch,” wrote the rabbis.

“We hereby protest this for the honor of the Torah. May it be God’s will that [these people] fully repent.”

The comments represent the first time leading haredi rabbis have publicly objected to the actions of the hard-line group protesting against the construction work in Beit Shemesh.

I'd read a bit earlier that a yeshiva director also told his students they'd put their scholarship in jeopardy if they joined in those protests. It's interesting how the extremists who conducted those protests care about the dead more than they care about the safety of the living.

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About me

I'm Avi Green

From Jerusalem, Israel

I was born in Pennsylvania in 1974, and moved to Israel in 1983. I also enjoyed reading a lot of comics when I was young, the first being Fantastic Four. I maintain a strong belief in the public's right to knowledge and accuracy in facts. I like to think of myself as a conservative-style version of Clark Kent. I don't expect to be perfect at the job, but I do my best.